This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.
The right of return is universal.
Under Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
"(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country."
In 1969, the General Assembly passed Resolution 2535. It recognizes "that the problem of Palestine Arab refugees has arisen from the denial of their inalienable rights under the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."
In 1974, General Assembly Resolution 3236 reaffirmed "the inalienable right of the Palestinians to return to their homes and property from which they have been displaced and uprooted, and calls for their return."
UNGA Resolution 194 (December 1948) said "refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbors should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date, and that compensation should be paid for the property of those choosing not to return and for loss of or damage which, under the principles of international law or in equity, should be made good by the governments or authorities responsible."
Israel's UN admission was conditional on accepting and implementing Resolution 194. The General Assembly reaffirmed the right of return 135 times. Residents everywhere traveling abroad for any length of time or reason have similar rights.
According to Association for Civil Rights in Israel's Executive Director, Hagai El-Ad , "It's the occupation, stupid."
Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).